The Russian institute in Prague (1922-1938)

The article is devoted to the history of the Russian Institute in Prague. This work is based on documents from archives of Russia and Czech Republic. Author analyzes the place of the Russian Institute among other émigré organizations, the specificity of his activities and the attitude on this organization of the Czechoslovak authorities. The Institute was established in 1922 through the efforts of émigré scientists grouped around the Union of Russian academic institution abroad. At various times, many eminent scientists such as P. B. Struve, N. O. Lossky, P. V. Ototsky, N. I. Andrusov and others were related to this organization. The Institute set itself the task of popularizing scientific knowledge, intellectual rapprochement of Russian and Czech. At first, many Czechoslovak organizations, such as Charles University, Czech Technical University in Prague, Chamber of Commerce, supported the Russian Institute. However, the Socialist-Revolutionaries tried to prevent the opening of the Institute. A sharp conflict took place between Socialist-Revolutionaries and liberal professors. Apart from ideological differences, it was at the heart the struggle for control of the financial assistance for emigration and authority in Russian community. P. I. Novgorodtsev was the first director of Institute. During this time, human, agricultural and industrial department were set up at the Institute. It became the multidisciplinary organization. Many prominent Russian historians, economists, philologists, geologists, chemists cooperated with the Russian Institute in this time. In 1924, after the death of P. I. Novgorodtsev, V. A. Frantsev was the new director. During his directorship, series of scientific works were published. The Institute starts to deal only with the humanities. In 1930s Russian institute was in crisis. It could not withstand competition from other organizations. Russian People’s University became his main rival. In addition, the Czechoslovak government cut funding for the Russian emigration. The Russian Institute failed to fully contribute to the development of Russian-Czech relations, because its work remained focused on Russian community. The academic interests of the Institute were far from Czechoslovakian desires. Another aggravating factor was the grave illness of V. A. Frantsev, the Director of Institute, and his retirement. In 1938 the Institute ceased to exist.